Tobias Harris, the “survival blanket” of the Pistons

Everyone fills their role in Detroit, and looking at the rankings, the recipe works just fine. In addition to the team leaders and young players, Tobias Harris he fulfills his costume as a wise old man, a veteran who serves as a guide to his teammates and whose presence is reassuring, on and off the field.

If he’s no longer on the front line with 33, he remains one of the team’s barometers, an “all-around” style that can be of great use, like this weekend when his knowledge of basketball on the set gave a big boost to Detroit against the Magic (23 points), or again last night, when he scored 11 points for the bench with 11 points for the national team. after a complicated first half in Cleveland.

“He’s always there when we need him. That’s the biggest compliment you can give a player.” slipped his trainer, JB Bickerstaff. “Regardless of the situation, the moment, or the result, Tobias will always manage to make the right action. He is a player who knows his game, knows how to position himself, whether to stop the run or extend. We can pass him the ball in certain places, and we know that it will bring us two points or at least a foul. I think that is… my survival and what now means a blanket for me in one year.”

It is his turn to transmit

Tobias Harris may not have the same explosiveness as when he started, but he’s mastering his game and his strengths like never before on offense. A valuable asset when the Pistons lack solutions.

“I’m just taking advantage of the mismatches, doing what I know how to do, going to get my shots and let the rhythm and energy of our team carry me. I’m just taking advantage of the trust the guys have in me to find the right situations, shoot and be ready.” he pointed out. “For me, it’s about staying in the best physical and mental condition. At the same time, we have to stay young … to take advantage of what we have here. But the most important thing is to have fun, especially when you’ve spent a few years in this league, and pick up these little habits that make you win and build day by day.”

In fifteen years of experience, Tobias Harris has acquired many of these little habits and tips that allow you to remain successful over time in one of the most competitive sports leagues in the world. And he learned from his elders when he was younger about how to stay in shape and endure over time, citing his former teammates Drew Gooden in Milwaukee and Ben Gordon in Orlando as having played a big role in his career in that regard.

“They helped me a lot by showing me that the money you make you have to invest in recovery tools, bodybuilding, therapists, things like that. They showed me how to take care of my body, hire a chef, focus on nutrition…Ben Gordon is the person who really taught me how to use my resources, how to feed your money properly, which is what makes your body.”

Notable picks for Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren

His career speaks for itself because at the age of 33, after a 15-year career, Tobias Harris was able to play 82.3% of the time. Longevity that inspires his young teammates.

“It’s impressive. It’s something that all of us young people strive for.”Cade Cunningham confirmed. “In 15 years I want to be able to play, to feel good and to be able to give my best like him. The fact that he is doing this with us and brings so much energy to our meetings and on the court, it means a lot.”

Same story for Jalen Duren, who appreciates the chance to benefit from a rare profile on a Pistons team where only Duncan Robinson (31) and Javonte Green (32) are also past 30.

“Talking to him early on, I knew he was going to be a great veteran for us.”he entrusted the headquarters. “In my first two years, it’s not that we didn’t have good veterans, but I felt like they didn’t believe in us younger players. From day one, Tobias took on the role of mentor and big brother. He played a vital role in our evolution and everything we achieved. In life in general, people have mentors and big brothers who help them and guide them in different situations. He works in different situations.

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.